Energy efficiency benefits are now available to these Washington residents
With more Washington residents now considered to be “moderate income,” more residents are now able to take advantage of energy efficiency benefits provided by the Community Energy Challenge.
The challenge is created through a non-profit partnership between Sustainable Connections and Opportunity Council that serves Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties.
The program has recently raised the cap on income considered to be moderate, and expanded incentives for switching to heat pumps, a technology that can heat and cool buildings with a lower carbon output than a gas furnace.
“The impacts of inflation (on both materials and labor) have made it more challenging for homeowners to make critical energy efficiency upgrades in their homes. This change expands the income range for some households, potentially supporting more people in making these investments,” according to Mark Schofield, the Opportunity Council’s Community Energy Challenge manager.
Under the old cap of 275% of the federal poverty level, the maximum income for a two-person household in Whatcom was $50,353, according to Schofield. With the change to the cap being 90% area median income, the maximum income for a two-person household has increased to $65,306, in Whatcom County. A full list of households that qualify in other counties can be found at the Community Energy Challenge website or by calling 360-676-6099.
Residents who qualify as moderate income and are participants in the Community Energy Challenge are eligible for incentives of up to $2,000 for heat pump space heaters, and $1,000 for heat pump water heaters, according to a news release from Sustainable Connections, Monday, Dec. 12. Participants who still make more than moderate income can receive incentives up to $800 for a heat pump space heater and up to $500 for a heat pump water heater.
The changes to the median-income designation and the expanded heat pump incentives were approved by the Community Energy Challenge’s primary funder, the Washington State University Energy Program, according to Schofield.
The incentive and moderate-income changes were also made to bring the program in line with Puget Sound Energy’s efficiency boost incentive program, Schofield said.
Since 2010, over 2,900 households have participated in the program, and completed over 1,900 projects to reduce carbon output.
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